That is the title of a news story currently at HRC. It is also now a discouraging reality of our lives.

We previously lived in Oregon where we witnessed that State take three steps forward and two steps back in the relationship recognition battle through the years. Our hopes were raised, our hopes were dashed. Then our hopes were redesigned and redelivered. We were pretty content with the end result in Oregon.

But, as with most of life… don’t get too comfortable! Because the winds of change are going to blow you to a land where people have concluded that you are decidedly a full fledged second class citizen (remember the PA. Senator John Eichelberger who magnanimously stated that PA. is graciously “allowing gays to exist”?) When we moved to Pennsylvania this last summer we suddenly lost any and all relationship recognition and protections that we had in Oregon.

If only something could be done on a National level to help ensure and protect the relationship recognition and rights for same-sex couples! Wait. I believe there is something that could be done! DOMA could be repealed!

In fact, our current President made it a campaign point to say that he supported the repeal of the “Defense of Marriage Act.” On September 15, 09 Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) introduced the Respect Marriage Act in Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. Time will tell whether President Obama will indeed see this campaign promise brought to fruition while it is within his power to do so.

When I found out I was going to be moving to Pennsylvania I began to research online about what form of relationship recognition PA. had for same-sex couples. I was dismayed! Not only was The Keystone State not following in the footsteps of so many of it’s East Coast counterparts offering same-sex marriage–but PA. goes in the opposite direction… banning same-sex marriage with it’s own State level DOMA. I was truly disheartened. The only “silver lining” for our little family in PA. is that my wife’s job offers excellent Domestic Partner benefits.

I wonder why The Keystone State is so far removed from the progressive equality of some of the other East Coast states? I wonder even more why PA. has a senator that openly states that he is “allowing gays to exist”?I wonder what will have to take place in this largest of the original 13 colonies (4 of which already provide same-sex marriage) for equality to sweep over this state?

Here are some of the LGBT resources I did find for Pennsylvania. If you know of any others out there, let me know.